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Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

Hi, brand new here, been surfing in Hawaii several times and recent just decided that I want to get into longboarding. Nothing crazy, just as a means of travelling from point a to point b and maybe some cruising and stuff. Can anyone recommend some reputable stores where I can invest in my first board? And advices and suggestions for a rookie?

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

Coast Longboarding
also craigslist is your friend if you want to spend $80-150 for a reasonable quality used complete. if you want to spend more than that just go to the landyachtz store by chinatown/commercial drive.
if you go the CL route, take it to landyachtz anyways & get new bushings (that suit your weight) / bearings (most peoples bearings are garbage).

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

If you can, try asking around on the forum about a good board for you (there's a dedicated thread)
A good place to order a new board/ or any other components is Switchbacklongboards. They have pretty good customer service and shipping shouldn't take too long.
And free shipping over $25, which is pretty solid.

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

yeah, rayne's ok if you're set on one of their boards, but their selection of parts (bushings, trucks, wheels, risers, bearings, grip) is pretty sh***y. landyachtz is more of a longboard skate shop. rayne's more like a car dealership.
i can vouch for switchback if you don't mind the whole "delayed gratification" thing (delayed meaning 2days to vancouver). awesome selection & service. full retail price, though... CL FTW! dirtbag sk8rs unite!

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

^
I heard that Rayne recently expanded their shop or something, I haven't got a clue what it's like though unfortunately, never been.
haha and ordering from switchback means you don't have to go out and get them yourself though!

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

Originally Posted by dango

^
I heard that Rayne recently expanded their shop or something, I haven't got a clue what it's like though unfortunately, never been.
haha and ordering from switchback means you don't have to go out and get them yourself though!

The new Rayne factory is sick, no more 2x4 board storage, the physical 'factory' moved out of the way, and the 'shop' expanded down the middle of the building.. Looks a hell of a lot prettier, and there's actually room to move around in too!

Originally Posted by Flyinghamster

I love the way the brown stain looks!

Originally Posted by DontTripSkateboards

I am amazed that someone would actually come up with a plug for that area. I guess i can make that opening bigger next run and offer Plugs if that smoothens things up :-k

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

I got a dropped deck speed board, is it virtually impossible to ollie or hop a curd due to the dropped deck and the leverage? And I think my wheels are too soft to do much sliding without much speed... I.e., pushing from A to B.

My wife wants to learn, anyone know if there are classes around town? Thanks a lot in advance!

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

Originally Posted by canknucklehead

I got a dropped deck speed board, is it virtually impossible to ollie or hop a curd due to the dropped deck and the leverage? And I think my wheels are too soft to do much sliding without much speed... I.e., pushing from A to B.

My wife wants to learn, anyone know if there are classes around town? Thanks a lot in advance!

Unless you have/make a kicktail on the back of your board, busting an ollie will be a challenge. Chances are your wheels are fine for drifts and such, just break em in first by going at a reasonable speed down a gradient and busting whatever stuff you know (protip: not many people can look pretty while breaking in some types of wheels, just go for it and ride it out).

post on Coast perhaps? also- tomorrow night is parkades, we meet at 8pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery by the fountain, come on out and bring layers, gloves and a helmet! This is weekly, sometimes we get a 25+ turnout on dry days

Originally Posted by Flyinghamster

I love the way the brown stain looks!

Originally Posted by DontTripSkateboards

I am amazed that someone would actually come up with a plug for that area. I guess i can make that opening bigger next run and offer Plugs if that smoothens things up :-k

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

Originally Posted by canknucklehead

I got a dropped deck speed board, is it virtually impossible to ollie or hop a curd due to the dropped deck and the leverage? And I think my wheels are too soft to do much sliding without much speed... I.e., pushing from A to B.

My wife wants to learn, anyone know if there are classes around town? Thanks a lot in advance!

Unless you have/make a kicktail on the back of your board, busting an ollie will be a challenge. Chances are your wheels are fine for drifts and such, just break em in first by going at a reasonable speed down a gradient and busting whatever stuff you know (protip: not many people can look pretty while breaking in some types of wheels, just go for it and ride it out).

post on Coast perhaps? also- tomorrow night is parkades, we meet at 8pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery by the fountain, come on out and bring layers, gloves and a helmet! This is weekly, sometimes we get a 25+ turnout on dry days

Originally Posted by Flyinghamster

I love the way the brown stain looks!

Originally Posted by DontTripSkateboards

I am amazed that someone would actually come up with a plug for that area. I guess i can make that opening bigger next run and offer Plugs if that smoothens things up :-k

Re: Newbie in Vancouver, Downtown

Originally Posted by Severus

post on Coast perhaps? also- tomorrow night is parkades, we meet at 8pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery by the fountain, come on out and bring layers, gloves and a helmet! This is weekly, sometimes we get a 25+ turnout on dry days

My brother and I came out to ride with you guys last week and it was amazing I'm Steven with the small board and double kingpin trucks, my brother is the one with that behemoth of a board haha. Was definitely the most fun riding I've done since I moved here, lost you guys by the end though trying to keep up lol